structures of the brain (1.4) Flashcards
myelencephalon
the connection between the higher levels of the brain and the spinal cord; contains both nuclei and many ascending sensory and descending motor axonal tracts
myelencephalon medulla centers (3)
cardiac, respiratory, vomiting (involuntary functions, i.e heart rate)
myelencephalon medulla dorsal column nuclei vs inferior olivary nuclei
dorsal column nuclei: touch
inferior olivary nuclei: motor coordination; inputs from dorsal column nuclei to cerebellum
myelencephalon axonal tracts (2)
medial lemniscus: ascending somatosensory (touch) fibers in the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord synapse in the dorsal column nuclei; axons cross the brain stem and ascend to thalamus
medullary pyramids: descending motor axons from primary motor cortex; down to spinal cord
metencephalon structures (2)
pons: dorsal to medulla; composed of nuclei and ascending and descending fiber tracts (lots of communication); pontine nuclei (motor activity) and trigeminal (cranial, sensory)
cerebellum: single, tightly-folded layer of cortex with white matter underneath (with several deeply embedded nuclei); motor control —> contributes to coordination, precision, and timing
metencephalon peduncle
permits communication between cerebellum and other parts of the CNS
mesencephalon divisions (2)
tectum and tegmentum
tectum pairs of bumps (2)
superior colliculi: visual-motor function (make you look reflexively at visual stimuli)
inferior colliculi: part of the ascending auditory system; where the auditory midbrain lives
tegmentum “colorful” nuclei (3)
periaqueductal gray (cell bodies): pain modulation
red nucleus (iron): motor coordination
substantial nigra (melanin): movement planning (part of basal ganglia)
myelencephalon reticular formation (brainstem) (3)
VTA: motivation (only cares about needs)
Raphe nuclei: mood
Locus coeruleus: primary wake-up center
diencephalon structures
thalamus: gateway to cortex
hypothalamus: hormones
diencephalon thalamus (3)
ventral posterior nucleus (VPN): receives input from medial lemniscus (touch)
medial geniculate nucleus (MGN): inferior colliculi process auditory information
lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN): gets information from retina
diencephalon thalamus functions
process/relay information to cortex, consciousness, attention, sleep/wake, stress (both motor and sensory)
diencephalon hypothalamus
synthesizes and secretes hormones; links nervous system to the endocrine system; controls activities of the autonomic nervous system
telencephalon cerebral cortex (cerebral cortex, edge, core)
cerebral cortex: layer of tissue that covers the cerebral hemispheres; composed of small, unmyelinated neurons (gray matter)
edge: cell bodies (gray matter)
core: axons (white matter)
